HELP??? (Sharpening)

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jambo545

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How the heck do I get my knife sharp? I'm not an idiot guys i can shoot run swim jump but not sharpen a knife to save my life I have practiced ALOT tried sharpening systems what do I do or use? MY grandpa just about like everyone elses could put a razor edge on in 5 min. please help:cuss::cuss::cuss::fire:
 
There's a "sticky" thread posted at the top of this forum listing that has a lot of good information on sharpening.
 
I use a diamond stick and get the angle by eye. Sounds crude but i do get a shaving sharp edge. What i do is sharpen one side then the other the the first side then the other. Most sharpening kits allow you to sharpen one side (however many strokes) then flip the blade and do the other side. This is wrong in my eyes. You need to do one side, one stroke then flip and do one stroke then repeat. Otherwise all you are doing is grinding off a bur on the second side.

There are lots of good sharpeners out there but i prefer a diamond stick over my lansky. I would not however use a DStick on a show knife. I sharpen my knives every second day, this makes it much easier to keep a shaving edge.

Just my view, hope it helps.
 
but not sharpen a knife to save my life I have practiced ALOT tried sharpening systems what do I do or use? MY grandpa just about like everyone elses could put a razor edge on in 5 min. please help
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It sounds like you might be giving the blade a new angle to me. That takes a lot longer because you are taking off a lot more steel. Once you get the angle you want consistently, it should only take about 5 minutes to sharpen.
 
The Spyderco Sharpmaker is a good choice. If you have a bit more to spend take a look at the ChefsChoice. I like the one that has three wheels.

Lou
 
I can only say practice, read, study, learn and practice some more.
Know your steel, geometry, and heat treatment.
Got some time, search sharpening on this forum, you will get a masters level education from SM's posts
It is an acquired skill, like riding a bike, once learned, very satisfying
 
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Jambo

Many of us feel your pain. Sharpening a knife well actually requires a very high degree of skill, tons of practice, having the right tools at your disposal, and knowing which tool to use when.

The best results I have been able to get is using a Lansky system which clamps onto your blade and guides a wide variety of stones at a consistant agle...15, 20, 25 degrees etc. Even with a tool like that, there is a lot to learn and quite frankly a lot of different opinions...and some science I suppose as well. For instance: Oil the stone or not, lots of oil vs a little oil, oil vs water, the list just goes on and on.

You'll learn to put a lot of rounds into the 10-ring long before you will learn to sharpen a knife really well...in my opinion anyway.

There are people on this board who understand steel very well, understand the tools and techniques very well and can sharpen a knife very very well...I wish I were one of them.

Q
 
When you get tired of playing with plastic toys, get some money and go to edge pro INC. They produce the very best sharpening system bar none. This machine will put one fine edge on any knife. I have never regretted getting mine.

http://www.edgeproinc.com/
 
Sometimes you gotta put it down.

HALT.
Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired.

These are times one should not do some things, including sharpening.

Even when one is fed, in a good mood, rested, not rushed for time, or anything else, the ability to do something, such as sharpening just does not come.

Freehand or Doo-Dad method of sharpening it does not matter.
Applies to anything else as well.

This is when one is wise to put it down, and walk away for a bit, or longer.
Then come back to sharpening, or whatever it was one was wanting to do.
 
The Spyderco Sharpmaker is in my mind the best bet.
I was involved in the development of the Chef's Choice and it does an excellent job.
However because of the construction of most knives and the unit itself, it is impossible to sharpen the knife from tip to tang.
The stones, India and Arkansas, do a super job also and the technique involved CAN be mastered.
 
"MY grandpa just about like everyone elses could put a razor edge on in 5 min. please help."


Jambo, you can do the same thing your grandpa did. Just take a moment to think about it.

First, there is no secret, or rocket science involved in it. No matter what the makers of super gizmo's will have you believe, it's a very easy thing once you get the feel of it. All the gizmos will do is to get you used to having a crutch to lean on, and someplace down the road you'll find yourself with a knife that needs a bit of touch up and no gadgit around. Sharpmakes and all that stuff won't fit in a pocket or wallet.

Go get yourself a Eze-lap model L, and cut off most of the red plastic handle. Diamond is a blades best friend. Then get yourself a dry erase marker in a bright color that shows up well under dust, like red or bright blue.

Use the market to color the edge, then lay the blade flat on the hone. Raise the back of the blade till you see the edge come in contact with the hone surface. Starting at the kick, hone in small circles, never taking the blade off the hone, till you get to the tip of the blade. Take a full minute to get to the tip.

Now look at the marked edge. Is there a bright new ribbon of edge all the way to the edge, or is there some color left at the very edge? If there is, just adjust the angle you're holding the knife at till its gone after honing that side of the blade. Work carefully, you can do it. Turn the blade over and do the other side of the blade. Don't obsess over the angle.

Repeat this untill you've honed off the marker all the way to the edge. You may have to re-color the edge. It may take a while till you develope the feel of it, but once you do, you will be able to sharpen your knife anywhere, anytime, with just the flat little hone in your wallet, or the bottom of a coffee mug, bottom of a plate or bowl by using the unglazed portion of the bottom of the plate. Or the top edge of the window of a car. Finish off with a few licks on the back of your belt, and you'll have a sharp knife in a few minutes anywhere.

I really dislike the crutches they sell to sharpen knives, all they do is complicate the prosess, and add to the confusion of the person trying to learn to sharpen. The Eze-lap diamond hones are small, pocket sized, and have exellent directions for this method. They do not need any oil or water, and as a result can be used anywhere with no mess.

Slow down, relax, and develope the feel, and you'll be independant of any home bound gizmo.

If there's anyone in the Washington-Baltimore area with a video camera, I'm more than willing to make a sharpening video to guide you in this. If you're anywhere a couple hours drive from me, I'm more than willing to meet you halfway to teach you to sharpen a knife anywhere at any time, with no gizmos. It's easier than you think. It just takes some practice. You can be just like your grandpa. it's just going to take a little practice.
 
A few very cheap chinese throw-away knives are great for practicing Carl's technique on. His use of a marker in determining edge angles is genious. Even if I can't spell the word.

You'll eventually find that most manufacturers put too obtuse an angle on their edges. That will lead you to putting longer angles on there to get what you want out of your knife. It'll take a little longer and you'll benefit from a larger, more agressive stone, but the same techniques will work.

Consistant angles and patience are keys. You'll feel the right angles once you've got a bit of time in.

Practice on the cheap blades. The odd swirl on the side of the blade will bother you less there.... (comes from accidently slipping the blade off the stone....)

J
 
Carl,

Thank you for your post.
Again, we are on the same page.

I feel as if we are old friends, that have yet to meet.

Tell Karen, most gals reserve a special spot for me, in the event I come to visit...like barns, dawghouses, garage, even the back yard under the patio table.

*snicker*
 
You're trying too hard. Just relax. Place the blade at a 45 degree angle and sharpen. Steel does not sharpen a knife as much as it straightens out the edge. You need to use a stone 'til you get it worked down pretty good. It's not hard to sharpen a knife. Just relax and quit trying so hard. It'll come to you. When I was 13 years old my daddy gave me a 2 bladed Barlow pocket knife. All I had was a little stone about 2 and one half inches long and my leather shoes. I could pull my shirt sleeve or my pants leg up and it was clean! No hair because I was always checking my Barlow and kept the hair shaved off! You don't need a lot of expensive equipment. Hold the blade at a 45 degree angle. It's easy to sharpen at that angle and that will also give you a good general purpose all around working edge..Great White Hunter...ADD ON I'vd still got that knife. It's worn to a nubbin but I'vd still got it...
 
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Tell Karen, most gals reserve a special spot for me, in the event I come to visit...like barns, dawghouses, garage, even the back yard under the patio table.
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On your way to MD stop in VA we got spare room with a real bed:D

Jambo
keep trying you will get it. you got some real good advice here.
 
"Tell Karen, most gals reserve a special spot for me, in the event I come to visit...like barns, dawghouses, garage, even the back yard under the patio table.

*snicker*"

Well you're in luck 'ol hoss. We just got a brand new patio table, complete with a big umbrella on it!:D
 
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